We had been told the thing was sold out, and the lower level was starting to fill in, but the front rows stayed empty. We kept waiting to spot the high rollers who’d sprung for the good seats; we were making jokes about who they might be. Finally, a little after 8 p.m., the other Bond Brothers arrived with a gaggle of intoxicated friends and women, entering through a backstage door. Chet, Donny, and Cole appeared to be high on methamphetamine, as well as their top-dog status.

